First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) is an Aboriginal-owned and controlled post-secondary institution. Aboriginal institutes partner with colleges and universities to offer students degree programs, apprenticeships, certificate programs and diploma programs. Established in 1985 through innovative and dynamic partnerships among the TyendinagaMohawk Council, FNTI Board of Directors, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Education & Training, it is the oldest Aboriginal-operated post-secondary institution in Ontario. It was founded to provide greater access to post-secondary education for Aboriginal peoples.[1] FNTI delivers post-secondary programs approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The educational curriculum was adapted to meet the needs of Aboriginal learners to ensure it reflects community needs, cultural heritage and identity.

FNTI is a strong advocate of lifelong learning - evident in its initiatives to raise Aboriginal student entry into post-secondary education through educational programs offered at the elementary and secondary level. It currently has about 300 post-secondary students and adult learners from across the country enrolled in capacity-building programs at FNTI. To date, over 2000 students have successfully graduated from a variety of certificate, diploma and degree programs offered at the institution.

Through its innovative programs, FNTI has contributed to First Nations' community capacity building through the advancement of its community-based "best practices" model. FNTI's approach to learning and teaching has also been adapted by other post-secondary educations in Ontario and other parts of the world.[citation needed]

The site of the First Nations Technical Institute and the First Nations Flying School was originally an aerodrome known as Deseronto Airport. The No. 1 IFS Camp Mohawk field opened in 1916 as a training school for pilots during World War I. During World War II, the aerodrome hosted the No. 1 Instrument Navigation School for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which provided instrument-navigation training air crews.

The FNTI mission is "To provide respectful, holistic learning opportunities and experiences that enhance the capacity of First Nations people to regain control over their social, political, cultural and economic future." The FNTI motto is 'Sharing & Learning'. [2]

Since its inception, FNTI has forged several partnerships with other colleges and universities in Ontario and Saskatchewan. It has also established international educational partnerships with indigenous peoples in Chile and South Africa, using its highly recognized PLA experience and techniques. FNTI has forged numerous governmental, corporate and industry training partnerships since its founding, and is a pioneer of building public-private partnerships. Examples of industry partnerships include its Aviation program partnerships with Air Creebec and Wasaya, and Media partnerships with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and CTV Television Network (CTV).

FNTI is the second largest employer on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.[1] Locally, FNTI provides over 60 jobs in the Quinte area - contributing an estimated $6 million to the local economy.

In addition, FNTI is also part of Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program (IPPP) - a joint initiative with the Mapuche Indigenous people in Chile to share FNTI's extensive knowledge and expertise in PLAR, portfolio development and Indigenous knowledge. FNTI's focused efforts on sharing approaches to education, training and employment is aimed at helping build capacity within the Mapuche community.